Microfilm apparatus



Filed Dec. 1, 1948 1952 v. E. PRATT ET AL 2,605,478

MICROFILM APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet l @GEIUG INVENTORS VERNEUR ET PRATT BY GEORGE F, GRAY ATTORNEYS g- 1952 v. E. PRATT ET AL 2,606,478

MICROFILM APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 SheetsSheet 2 .7 L522 INVENTORS VERNEUR E. PRATT GEORGE F GRAY ATTORNEYS Aug. 12, 1952 v. E. PRATT ET AL MICROFILM APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 1, 1948 INVENTORS VERNEUR E. PRATT GEORGE F. GRAY ATTORNEYS Aug. 12, 1952 Filed Dec. 1, 1948 V. E. PRATT ET AL MICROFILM APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS VERNEUR E. PRATT BY GEORGE F. GRAY ATTORNEYS Aug. 12, 1952 v. E. PRATT ET AL 2,606,473

MICROFILM APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS VERNEUR E. PRATT BYGEORGE F. GRAY ATTORNEYS Aug. 12, 1952 v. E. PRATT ET AL MICROFILM APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 1, 1948 INVENTORS VERNEUR E. PRATT BY GEORGE F. GRAY S Y E N m A Aug. 12, 1952 v. E. PRATT ET AL MICROFILM APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS VERNEUR E. PRATT BY GEORGE F. GRAY ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 12, 1952 MICROFILM APPARATUS Verneur E. Pratt and George F. Gray, Norwalk, Conn.

Application December 1, 1948, Serial No. 62,942

Claims.

The present invention pertains to improvements in micro-film apparatus.

In our co-pending application, Serial No. 622,198, filed October 13, 1945, now Patent No. 2,509,072, of which the present application is a continuation in part, is described and claimed a flow-film camera of sectional construction, generally corresponding in structure, height and depth to the proportions of a filing cabinet, the device being adapted to receive copy of any size, up to wide prints or tracings. The copy is fed upside down into the top section wherein it is conveyed across the optical path of a camera head located in the underlying record section. The copy then passes downward through a suitable chute, and is finally delivered right side up through the front of the lower section.

An object of the present invention is to provide a flow camera adapted to receive wide or narrow copy through a feedthroat at ordinary desk level and after photographing the copy in motion to deliver it from the upper front of the structure at convenient eye level for an operator seated before the machine.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature including means to shift delivery from the front to the rear of the structure.

A further object is to provide a device of the above type which, while adapted to receive wide copy of any length, is of minimum size, light and rigid in structure and readily movable into or out of restricted spaces.

A further object is to provide improved means forming an optical path whereby maximum compactness of the structure is attained while maintaining ample optical length for sharp and accurate definition throughout the entire area of the largest copy.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature including a camera head hinged within the front Wall and adapted to be swung bodily outward for readily changing films, lenses, etc.

Another object is to provide improved means vfor conveying and guiding the copy.

{of the abovenature including means to produce 2 enlarged reproductions by flow projection, and to produce contact film positives.

Another object is to provide a device of the above type including a pair of side frames to and between which all major structures of the assembly are removably secured, thus permitting compact knock-down shipment if desired, easy re-assembly, and improved accessibility.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident during the course of the following description in connection with the accompanyin'g drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective exterior view of a preferred form of the. invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central cross section of the same;

Fig.3 is a transverse section approximately in the plane 3-3, Figure 2;

Fig. 41s a side view with .the door removed to show the drive and related mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan illustrating the three front compartments and the swing-out arrangement of the camera head;

Fig. 8 is a detail longitudinal section of the lens mounting and related parts;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the light source for contact printing;

Fig. 7a is a diagram illustrating the relationship of the parts in contact printing;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the auxiliary light source structure for projection printing;

Fig. 9 is a detail longitudinal section of one set of the film safety wrap control contacts;

Fig. 9a shows a length of typical film illustrating the stop notches;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic end view of the above contacts showing the contact-making ring in running position;

Fig. 11 is a similar view taken in stop position;

Fig. 12 shows means for photographically sidemarking the film with an identifying legend or the like;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of mirror end structure and mounting means;

Fig. 14' is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections.

Fig. 14a is a diagrammatic illustration of the internal connections of the auto-transformer.

7 Referring to Fig. l, the numerals l5 and It designate'a pair of hollow side frames, preferably of welded sheet metal construction, provided with hinged doors H and I8.

. Transverse structural members I9, 20, 2|, 22 and-23, Fig. 2, preferably of inverted U-section and with closed ends, are detachably secured to 3 the frames I5 and I6 by means of bolts 24. Vertical members 26 and 21, Figs. 1 and 5, divide the front of the machine into three compartments 28, 29 and 39, provided with hinged doors 3|, 32 and 33, respectively.

A mirror casing or box 34, Figs. 2 and 3, has a wide upper portion 35, extending the full distance between the end frames l5 and I6, and detachably secured thereto by bolts 36. The lower portion 31 of the box 34 is narrower than the upper portion as shown in Fig. 3, the stepped shape providing lower side compartments 38 and 39. The box 34 is of rigid construction, and being bolted to the end frames I5 and 16 as noted, provides in itself a rigid connecting structure between the frames, the rear wall 49 of the box 34 forming the exterior rear panel of the machine. Detachable rear closures (not shown) may be provided for the compartments 38 and 39. A bracket 42, bolted to the end frame I5 inside the compartment 39, carries a reversible synchronous motor 43 equipped with a worm-gear speed reducing mechanism 44. The output shaft 45 of the gear motor 43 extends into the interior of the end frame [5 and carries a two-stop grooved pulley 46.

A large guide drum 41, of a length substantially spanning the distance between the end frames I5 and I6, is mounted on a shaft 48 carried in flanged anti-friction bearing members 49 and 59, secured to the frames I5 and I6 respectively. A second two-step grooved pulley 5| is mounted on the end of the shaft 48 inside the hollow frame I5. A belt 52 connects the second or driven pulley 5| with the drive pulley 46, the belt bein adapted to engage either corresponding pair of grooves in the two pulleys to provide two drive ratios. A spring-pressed idler 53, Fig. 4, serves to maintain proper belt tension in any of the drive positions.

A feeding table 54, Figs. 1 and 2, is secured in the front of the machine and extends outwardly therefrom, at approximately ordinary desk height.

Directly behind the inner edge of the table 54 is a transverse roller 55 having the ends of 'its shaft 56 journalled in bearing members 51 secured to the frames I5 and I6 as illustrated in Fig. 4. A second transverse roller 58, also rotatively supported in fixed bearing members 59 secured to the end frames, is disposed parallel to the roller 55 at a point below the front side of the drum 4?. The upper sides of the peripheries of rollers 55 and 58 are in horizontal alignment at substantially the top level of the table 54, I A plurality of endless fiat belts or tapes 60 is disposed on the rollers 55 and 58. A third or tension roller 6| is equipped with end bearings 62 carried in short lever members orarms 63 pivotally mounted in the end frames [5 and I6, as shown in Fig. 4. Springs 64 urge the arms 63 upward, pressing the roller 6| against the belts 69 to hold the latter in proper tension. Spaced flanges 65 on the roller 6|, serve to keep the belts 69 in spaced relation throughout the lengths of the three rollers described. 7

A second set of belts 66 is carried on the drum 4?, these belts also engaging three parallel rollers 67, 68 and 69. The roller 6! is swing mounted in the same manner as tension roller 6|, and is pressed downward by the springs 64 to tension the belts 66. The front roller 68, disposed directly above the roller 55 is also swing mounted and is urged downward by springs I0, asillustrated in 4 Fig. 4, so as to normally press the belts 66 against the lower belts 69 on the roller 55.

The roller 69 is a fixed center discharge roller having rubber flanges I3 extending between the belts 66 for a purpose which will be described hereafter.

A third set of tapes or belt I4 is carried on three rollers 75, I6 and 11, Fig. 2, these rollers being so arranged that their belts normally engage the second set of belts 66 below the drum 4'! and throughout the rear peripheral extent of the latter. The middle roller 16 is swing mounted on levers "I8 as shown in Fig, 4, and is urged rearwardly by springs 19 to maintain the belts I4 normally in firm engagement with their respective mating belts .66. Roller I6 is equipped I with belt-spacing flanges 89, while roller 7'! carries rubber discharge flanges 8 I.

It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the upper side of the roller I5 is so located as to hold the belts 66 normally in horizontal parallel engagement with the corresponding belts 60 throughout the latters span from the front roller 55 to the rear roller 58.

A transparent guide plate 82 is disposed slightly below the tapes or belts 66 just forward of the roller I5, being secured to a metallic shoe 83 havin forwardly directed fingers 84 extending over the grooved roller 58 and downward between the belts 69. A second set of guide fingers 84a extend over the roller I5 and below the rear edge of the plate 82. The plate 82 prevents either the leading or trailing edges of limber copy from sagging out of proper focus.

A member 85, preferably of sheet metal, is formed with a downwardly convex lower guide portion 86 cooperative with the table 54 to form the feed throat 81, The upper portion 88 of member forms an upwardly concave receiver for delivered copy. The member 85 is-mounted on flat end supports 89 on the inner sides of the frames I 5 and I6, being readily removable therefrom to permit access to the interior belt assembly and related parts. An upper guide member 99, also preferably of sheet metal, is downwardly convex and cooperates with the upper portion 88 of member 85 to form a forwardly directed delivery or discharge threat 9 l.

The upper guide member 99 is secured to a transverse angle member 92 having end plates 93 removably secured to the frames I5 and I6. The front face of the angle member comprises a panel 94 carrying various controls 265 and the like. The controls are provided with a suitable elongated escutcheon 96 as shown in Fig. 1. A plate 91, which may be perforated for ventilation, is secured on the top of the panel 94 and the upper guide member 99, forming a closure for the elongated space 98 containing the bodies of the controls 265, etc., and their wiring cables 99.

A top closure panel I09, curved to conform with the upper curvature of the frames I5 and I6, is secured to a transverse hinge rod I III and normally overlies the plate 91 as shownin Fig. 2. The top closure [96 may be swung forward to uncover the plate 97 should access be desired to the controls 265, etc., or their wiring 99.

A second transverse hinge rod I02 carriesthe rear edge of a scroll-shaped deflector or doctor I 63, overlying the upper guide roller 11 and curvmg downward around the front of the latter. Small levers I94 normally hold thedefiector in upper position as shown in'Fig. 2, in which position shortfingers I on theedge of thedeflector extend betweenthe rubber ejector flanges 82 of I the roller 11.

When it is desired to cause rear delivery of copy as hereinafter set forth, the deflector 163 may be shifted down to the position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2, by lowering the levers I64. In the lower position the fingers I 65 extend between the belts 66 into grooves H on the drum 41.

A camera head plate I66, Figs. 2 and 5, is secured to the inner side of the door 32 so as normally to be enclosed in the middle compartment 29. A light tunnel I61 secured to the plate I66, has detachably disposed therein a lens I68, preferably contained in a combined lens mount and film guide I59. To avoid undue complication in the small scale of Fig. 2, the lens mounting and related parts shown therein are in semi-diagrammatic form, further details of the actual preferred structure being shown in enlarged Fig. 6 and described hereafter.

A film I I6, initially placed on a supply reel I I I, is adapted to move via a tension roller II2, the guide I63, and a drive roller II3 to a take-up reel II4. Pressure rollers H5 and I I6 are mounted on shafts H1 and H8 secured in the ends of swinging arms H9 and I26, which latter are secured to spindles I2I and I22 journalled in insulated bushings I23 in the plate I66, Short levers I24 and I25, secured to the spindles I2l and I22 behind the plate I66, are connected via toggle springs I26 and I21 with pins I28 and I 29, the latter pins being insulated from the plate.

A synchronous gear motor I36, Fig. 5, is adapted to operate the drive roller II3 via a. magnetic clutch I3I.

The light tunnel I61 normally communicates optically via a transverse slot I32 with a second transverse slot I34 in the front of the mirror box 34.

A slot I35 is providedin the top of the mirror box 34 below the transparent plate 82. Anarrow conduit or light-shielded passage member I36 extends upward above the slot I35 and toward the plate 82. Two rows of incandescent lamps I31 are disposed in sockets I38 secured in inverted channel members I39 and I46. The latter members are slidable in guides I4I and I42 removably secured to the frames I5 and I6.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the frame member I6 has therein an opening I43,

through which the light fixture members or racks 1 outlet I45 secured to the frame I5. Thus when it is desired to inspect or replace any lamps of rack I36, it is only necessary to open the end door I6, grasp a handle I46 provided on the rack I39 and slide the latter bodily out through the opening I43. The prongs I44 disengage the outlet I45, so that no flexible leads or the like are required, and the lamp circuits are automatically broken upon removal and restored upon replacement of the racks.

A narrow mirror I41 is disposed in the bottom of the box 34 directly below the top slot I35, and is inclined slightly toward the rear as shown in Fig. 2. A- second narrow mirror I48 is mounted in the rear of the box 34 in horizontal line with the slot I34, and is inclined downwardly. The inclination of the mirrors is such that when the lamps I31 illuminate the plane of the belt 66 above the plate 82, light from a narrow transverse strip of that plane passes downward through the shield I36 and slot I35 to the mir ror I 41, thence upward and rearward :to the :second mirror I48, thence directlyforward through the slot I34 .and tunnel I61 to thelens I.68.and film I I6.

It will be seen from examination of Figs. 2.and

'3 that by the arrangement and proportion .of the parts determining the optical .path I49, the Lfilm H6 is enabled to receive an image of a narrow area extending across the entire width of a sheet of copy I56 disposed below the drum .41. The structures shown provide ample optical .distance in extremely compact space, at the same time minimizing the number of mirrors and avoiding the use of very wide lens angles with'the latters attendant difficulties from aberration and expensive construction.

In anoptical path as described, it is of utmost importance that the mirror structure be rigid and free from vibration. These results are accomplished as follows, referring first to Fig. 3: The mirror I41 is supported on a rigid hollow metal bar I5I secured to the side walls of the box 34. Spring clips I52 are secured to the bar -I5I and engage the mirror I41 near its ends, as illustrated in enlarged Fig. 13, holding the mirror firmly in place on the bar. Side lugs I53 on the clips I52 hold the mirror from shifting sidewise.

Themirror I41 is of the front silvered type, and it will be noted that it is made from glass of very heavy thickness. This heavy construction serves a double purpose. First, it provides a mirror of great inherent rigidity and freedom from distortion, particularly as the spring clip mounting permits natural expansion or contraction of the mirror during temperature changes without significant end stresses. Secondly, the large mass and consequent inertia of the clip-mounted mirror render it insensitive to any vibrations likely to be encountered during operation of a machin of the character embodied herein. a

Short laterally extending plates I54, Figs. 2 and 3, are attached to the ends of the bar I5I, and are secured to the sides of the box 34 by screws I55 and I56. The holes in the plates accommodating screws I56 are slotted as illustrated at I51, Fig. 2, thus permitting accurate adjustment of the inclination of mirror I41. After proper adjustment has been made, the screws I55 and I56 are tightened, the rigid structure thereafter ensuring permanently proper alignment.

The mounting of mirror I45 is similar to that described, except that due to the comparative shortness of mirror I48, end brackets I53 may be secured in the back of box 34, to permit use of a shorter mounting bar I 59.

Hinged light-tight doors I56 and I6! are provided to give access to mirrors I41 and I48 for occasional dusting or the like.

Detail Fig. 6, as previously noted, is a fragmental horizontal section, and shows thearrangement and relationship between the light tunnel I61 and related parts.

The film guide member I69 is clamped in the suitably shouldered end of the tunnel I61 by means of a hinged and spring-pressed lid I92 which forms a closure for the top of the tunnel. The film [I6 is drawn into engagement with the guide I69 by the light tension provided by roller II2, Fig. 2, but to further ensure accurate spacing a guide roller I63 is provided to press lightly against the film directly in line with the slit I64 in the guide.

The roller I63 is mounted on a trunnion I65 which is cross-pivoted to a bracket I86. Togglesprings I61, Figs. 2 and 6., normally press the roller against the film I I as noted above. When it is desired to change the film, change'lenses, etc., the roller I63 may be swung outward as shown in dot and dash lines, Fig. 6. Inthis operation the toggle springs I61 ride over center in the usual manner, thus retaining the roller in retracted position.

The bracket I66 is removably secured to the main plate I06 by means of filister-head screws I68 which engages key-hole slots I69 in the bracket, as shown in Fig.2.v

The lens unit I08 is secured in a cylindrical retainer I10, firmly secured to the guide I09, carefully gaged initial spacing of the lens from the film guiding surface ensuring permanently accurate focus, due to the right unitary structure of the guide and lens mounting combination.

,.A single jack IN is insulatedly mounted in the panel I06. When it is desired to use the machine for direct contact printing, as hereinafter set forth, the guide I09 carrying the lens mount I10 and lens I08 is removed and replaced by an alternative guide I12, Fig. '1. A frame I13, secured to the'inner side of guide I12, carries a pair of sockets I14 provided with small lamps .I15. A prong electrode I16, wired to the lamps I15, engages the jack I1I. A small ground glass screen I11 is secured in the guide I12 behind the slit IBM, in order to diffuse the light from the lamps I15.

Fig. 8 illustrates the arrangement by which the machine is adapted to enlarging or projection printing. For this purpose the bracket I66 is removed, together with the roller I63, and replaced by a second bracket I18 on which is mounted. a socket I19 carrying a high-intensity lightsource such as a zirconium crater arclamp I80. The bracket I18 also carries a suitable condensing lens I9I interposed between the lamp I89 and the film guide I 99. A four-prong-ed plug I82, connected to the socket by a cable I83, is adapted to engage an outlet I84 set in the panel I06.

Referring to the schematic wiring diagram, Fig. 14, the numeral I85 designates an attachment plug for making connection to a suitable source of alternating current. From the plug I85 current is led to two main power conductors I86 and I 81 via a double-pole switch. I 88, the latter being mounted on the instrument panel 94 as shown in Fig. 1.

The power conductor I86 is connected directly to the movable electrode I89 of a five-point selector switch I90, while the second power conductor is connected to one input terminal I9I of an auto-transformer 592 Five taps I93, I94, I95, I99 and E91 of the auto-transformer I92 are connected respectively to stationary contacts I98, I99, 200, 29I and 202 of the switch I90. Taps I96 and I91 are also connected via leads 203 and 204 respectively, with two points 205 and 206 of a second five-point switch 201 located on the instrument panel 94. Three additional output terminals 208, 209 and 2I0 of the auto-transformer I92 are connected by leads 2I I, 2I2 and 2I3, respectively, to the remaining three stationary points 2M, 215 and 2 I of the switch 201.

The common or movable electrode 2I1 of the switch 201 is connected via wire M3 to the two outlets I95, Fi s. 2 and 3, serving the banks of lamps I31. The second lead 2I9 from the outlets M5 is connected to one contact point 220 of a normally open relay 225. The second contact point 222 of relay 22I is connected via a; conductor 223 with the second power conductor I81.

From the above description it will be evident that closure of the relay 22I directs current from the :power conductor I86 via the selector switch I90, the auto-transformer I92, and the second selector or light control switch 201 to the lamps I31, thence via the relay 22I to the second power conductor I81, thus energizing the lamps.

The auto-transformer I92 performs a double function, namely that of furnishing a variable voltage current supply for the lamps I31, while at the same time, in combination with the selector switch I90, providing means to maintain properly uniform operating voltages throughout the apparatus under varying conditions of supply voltage. The manner inwhich this is accomplished is best explained in connection with Fig. 14a, which illustrates diagrammatically the internal connections of the auto-transformer.

Referring to Fig. 14a, it will be noted that assuming a potential difference of 115 volts between the input terminal I9I and the tap I95, the :potential differences between input I9I and taps I93, I94, I96, I91, 208, 209 and 2I0 are respectively 1'05, 110, 120, 125, 130, 140, and 150 volts. Under these conditions, by turning the second selector switch 201 to various appropriate contact positions, the lamps I31 may be furnished selectively with current at 120, 125, 130, 140 or 150 volts, thus selectively varying the intensity of illumination.

With normal main supply voltage of about 115 volts, the above described conditions are accomplished by placing the movable electrode I89 of the selector switch I90 in contact with the stationary point 200 which, as previously noted, is connected to the transformer tap I 95. The input to the transformer thus takes place through terminal I 9i and tap I95, and the voltages throughout are as shown in Fig. 14a. However, in the case of low supply voltage in the neighborhood of volts, the movable switch electrode I89 is placed in engagement with the stationary Ipoint I98 connected to the transformer tap I95. The 105 volt supply is thus directed into the 105 volt portion of the transformer winding, and all potentials remain the same as shown in Fig. 14a.

In the same manner, supply voltages of approximately volts, volts or volts may be directed by means of the switch I90 into the corresponding winding portions of the autotransformer I92. By this means the operating voltages may be maintained at substantially constant proper magnitudes for uniform operation of the machine under differing conditions of available supply voltage. This feature is of great importance in photographic processes involving light intensities and other factors such as the electronic control system to be described hereinaf er.

While the above description has been made in terms of specific voltages referred to 115 volts as a commonly available supply voltage, it will be understood that the specific voltages are given only as a preferred embodiment, as obviously the device may be constructed for any other desired standard of supply voltage and relationship of internal operating voltage A short wire 224 connects the contact point 200 of switch I90 and the tap I95 of auto-transformer I92 with a conductor 225; hereinafter referred to for convenience as the 115 volt conductor.

One end of the 115 volt conductor 225 is connected to one outer pole 226 of a double-pole switch 221, the second pole 228 being connected via a wire 229 with the second main power conductor 182. One inner pole of the switch 221 is connected via a wire 239 with one terminal of a second auto-transformer 231. The second inner pole of switch 221 is connected to one terminal 232 of the crater arc lamp 139, the lamp being assumed plugged in and the intermediate sockets and connectors being omittedfrom the schematic diagram for simplicity. When the lamp 189 is plugged in, an internal jumper 233 in the lamp electrically connects the terminal 232 with a second lamp terminal 234, which latter terminal has a connection 235 to the second terminal of the auto-transformer 231. A terminal branch lead and a tap 231 connect the autotransformer 231 with a full-wave rectifier 239. The direct current output operating connection from the rectifier 231; passes through a choke 239 and a pair of ballast tubes 249 to a rheostat 241, thence via a conductor 2 12 to the third terinitial 243 of the lamp 89. The connection of the fourth terminal 244 comprises a conductor 2 15 ta, Jed into the transformer 231 midway between the terminal lead and the tap 231.

A normally closed switch 248, preferably of the mercury type, and a resistor 241 are connected in series between the conductor 245 and the outer terminal of the choke 239, the switch 2 .9 being magnetically operable by the core of the choke. When the switch 221 is closed to energize the auto-transformer 234, current from the rectifier 23B initially passes through the choke 239, the resistor 241 and switch 248. Energization of the choke 239 suddenly opens the switch 245, divcrting a heavy surge through the ballast tubes 240, rheostat 241 and conductor 242, to the lamp terminal 243, thus striking the are 248.

The numeral 249 generally denotes a two decked six-pole triple position rotary switch located on the control panel 94. One deck cornprises three bus segments 2513, 251 and 252, the second deck having corresponding bus segments 253,254 and 255.

The bus segment 259 is connected via a wire 259, a capacitor 251 and a lead 258 with one side of a normally closed contactor 259 comprising part of a relay 259. The other side of contactor 259' is connected via a lead 261 and a conductor 252 with the second main power conductor 121. The bus segment 251 is connected via a conductor 23 5 with the first-named side of the contactor 259. The segment 292 has a connection via a wire 28 1, a rheostat 255 and a second wire 265a with the jack 111, Figs. 6 and '1, thence to the lamps 115 when the latter are plugged in as shown in Fig.7.

The second deck bus segment 253 is connected via a lead 2139 to ground 261 on a chassis 268, hereafter referred to as the electronic control chassis, located in the compartment 29, Fig. 5.

The chassis 258 supports two beam power tubes 259 and a three pole normally open trip relay 211, and a full-Wave rectifier tube 212 connected in the usual way with a transformer 213, the latter being supplied with primar current via leads 2 14 and 215 from the 115 volt conductor 225 and the'second main power conductor 131 respectively.

The relay 211 is adapted, when energized, to connect the cathodes 291 and 292 of the tubes 269 and 216 to ground 261 on the chassis 268, and thence to one D. C. output conductor 218 of the rectifier tube 212. Closure of the relay 211' also establishes a connectionfrom the power conductor 181 via lead 215a, branch 219, the relay contactor 288 and a wire 281 to a magnetic counter 282 disposed on the panelboard 94. A return wire 283 connects the counter 282 with the volt conductor 225.

The coil 284 of the trip relay 211 is operable by 6 volt current from a winding 285 of the transformer 213, this winding being connected from one end to chassis ground 261 and also serving to furnish heater current for the tubes 269 and 218 as Well as current for other apparatus hereinafter described. A plurality of small conducting spring leaves 286, mounted on fingers 286a, Fig. 2, spaced along a transverse metallic rod 281, are rockable to make contact with a bus-bar 288, electrically connected to the coil 294. The rod 281 is grounded to the chassis 268, so that contact of any leaf 29-6 with the bus-bar 288 establishes the 6 volt connection through the coil 284 to trip the relay.

Actuation of the relay 211 closes contactors 280, 299 and 290. Contactor 289, through the previously'described connections, directs 115 volt currentthrough-the magnetic counter 282, thus causing the latter to register one unit. Contactors 299 and 298 respectively connect the cathodes 291 and 292 of tubes 269 and 219 to chassis ground 291 and hence to the D. C. output 218.

The plate lead 293 of the tube 269 is connected through a resistor 294 and a conductor 295 to the magnetic clutch 131. From the clutch a return connection is made via a wire 296 and a branch 291 to a normally closed contactor 298 of the relay; 250, thence via a wire 299 to the second output conductor 399 of the rectifier 212. From the above described connections it will be evident that when the tube 26-9 is energized and so long as the contactor 298 of relay 260 is closed, plate current from the tube 269 passes through the magnetic clutch 131 to hold the latter engaged.

Similarly, the plate lead 391 of the tube 210 is connected via resistor 392 and a conductor 3G3 with the bus segment 254 of the rotary switch 249. When the latter is in either number two or number one position as shown, the above connection is continued through a wire 304 to one terminal of the coil 395 of the light control relay 221. The other terminal of the coil 395 is connected to the branch 291 and the normally closed contactor 298, thence via the wire 299 to the second output conductor 39% of the rectifier tube 212 as previously described. Thus, with the switch 249 in either number one or number two position and the relay contactor 298 closed, energization of the tube 219 causes its plate current to flow through the relay coil 395, closing the relay 221 to energize the lamps 131 via the'connection previously described.

The coil 393 of the relay 25a is connected on one side via a wire 391 to one normally closed pole 388 of a double-pole switch 399 located on the control panel 94, thence via a conductor 319 to the 6 volt current winding of the transformer 213. Theother side of the coil 3% is connected to one side of a normally open contactor 311, on the relay 258, and also through a branch 312 to the insulated spindles 121 and 122 holding the arms 1'18 and 129 which carry the pressure rollers I15 and 1 16,Fig. 2.

Referring to the detail sectional View, Fig. 9, it will be noted that the tension roller 112 has internal metallic bushings 313 rotating on a pin 314 secured in the camera plate 199. The main outer portion 315 of the roller 11? is made of resilient material such as rubber, but a stepped metallic collar 318, disposed on the metallic inner end of the roller, forms a guiding surface for the inner marginal portion and. edge of the film H6.

The pressure roller I I5, composed preferably of a hard plastic, non-conducting material, has a metallic core 3I1 rotatably mounted on the pin II1. A narrow annular contact ring 3I8 is disposed at the inner end of the roller 5, being attached to the metallic core 3I1 by shortlongitudinalwire springs 3I9 so as to be rotatable with the roller but radially displaceable. The ring is of slightly greater diameter than the roller. The preferred type of film I I9, Fig. 911, has two marginal notches 326 and 32 I, situated'on opposite sides of the strip and dividing the latter longitudinally into three portions. The first portion A, including the leading end of the film and hereinafter referred to as the leading safety Wrap, is of sufiicient length that when rolled it forms a number of outer layers about the main working portion B to protect the latter from light and to provide a margin for threading.

The middle portion B, as noted; comprises the principal length or working portion of the film, while the trailing end portion C forms a terminal safety wrap to protect the exposed film'during daylight unloading.

When an un-notched portion of the film, for example the leading wrap A, is between the rollers' I I2 and H5, the film prevents engagement between the contact ring 3 I8 and the collar 3I6, the ring being displaced from concentricity with the roller I I as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. However, when the notch 326 moves between thecollar 3 I 6 and the ring 3I8, as shown in'Fig. 11, the springs 3I9 force the ring 3I8 into engagement with the collar 3I6, which latter is grounded to the camera plate I66 via the pin 3I4.

The drive roller H3 and its pressure roller II6 are similarly fitted with guide collar 322 and contact ring 323 respectively, Fig. 14, these parts. being identical in structure and operation with those described except that they are disposed on the outer ends of the rollers and hence adapted to be brought into contact through the second film notch 32I.

The camera plate I66 is joined via a wire 324 with ground 325 on the chassis of relay 266 and thence via a wire- 326 with ground 261 on the electronic control chassis 268. Thus whenever either film notch 326 or 32I appears between the roller contacts, the effect is to ground the second mentioned side of the relay coil 366, whereby the 6 volt connection is established through the coil to throw the relay 266. U

The camera headmotor I36, Figs. 5 and 14, is a two-speed synchronous type having one lead 321 permanently connected to the 115 volt conductor 225. A pair of slow-speed leads 328 and 329, running to therotary switch 249, are connectable thereby in number one switch position with bus segments 25!) and 25! respectively, thence by previously described connections through the normally closed contactor 259 of the relay 266 tothe second main power conductor I21. High-speed leads 336 and 33I of the camera head motor I36 are similarly connectable to the conductor 121 via the switch 249 in number two and three positions thereof.

The conveyor motor 43, Figs. 3 and 14, is of the reversible synchronous type having four leads 332, 333, 333 and 335 running to a reversing switch 336 onthe panel-board 94. One current supply connection to the switch 336 is from the 115 volt conductor 226 via the previously described wire 283. The second supply connection to the switch 336 is through a branch 331 of 12 the conductor 263 which, as noted, receives its current from the second power conductor I81 via the normally closed. contactor 259.

From the foregoing connections it is evident that actuation of the relay 260 and. thereby opening the contactor 259 cuts off the current supply of both the camera head motor I39 and the conveyor motor 43. At the same time, opening the relay contactor 298 cuts off the direct current supply conductor 300 via conductor 299 both from the clutch I3I and the light control relay coil 365. The latter being de-energized, permits the contacts 220 and 222 to disengage, thus also denying current to the lamps I31. The third or normally open contactor 3II of the relay 260, when closed, establishes a second ground connection for coil 366, thus setting up a holding circuit to keep the relay energized independently of the described roller contacts which initiated the actuation.

The relay 260 having been locked in as noted, it may be unlocked manually by opening the normally closed pole 368 of the double-pole switch 399, hereinafter referred to as the re-set switch, thereby breaking the supply of 6 volt current to the coil 366.

The re-set switch 369 has a second or normally open pole 339 adapted, when closed, to establish a connection between the previously described electronic control chassis ground wire 266 and a branch 339 of a conductor 340 electrically connected to the cathode 29I of the tube 269, bypassing the trip relay contactor 239. Thus operation of the re-set switch 399 resets the motor control relay 266 and at the same time causes the tube '269 to be energized independently of the trip relay 21 I, thereby also energizing the clutch I3I.

The rotary switch 249 in number three position is also adapted to connect conductors 266 and 340 via bus segment 253, thus keeping the tube 269 and clutch I3I energized while printing, as hereinafter described.

A pilot or end-of-film signal lamp 341, located on the panel 94, is connected between 6 volt conductor 3H) and the conductor 3I2 leading to the pressure roller arm spindles I2I and I22. The lamp MI is thus normally connected in parallel with the motor control relay coil 306 and. consequently is illuminated whenever the relay is energized.

A second pilot light 342 is connected on one side to the volt conductor and on the other side via a lead 343 and a variable resistor 344 to the second power conductor I81. This lamp serves as a readily visible indicator when closure of the main switch I88 connects the power supply.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Photography In order to load the camera head with film, the door 32 is opened as illustrated in Fig. 5, thus swinging the camera head out to readily accessible position. The rollers I I5, I I6 and I63 are retracted, a roll of film H6 is placed on the supply reel I I I and the leading end of the film, that is the leading safety wrap A, Fig. 9a, is led across the guide I09 and threaded into the take-up reel II4. The rollers H5, H6 and I63 are swung into engagement with the film I9 and the door 32 is closed, placing the camera head in operative position as shown in Fig. 2.

After closing the power switch I86 to energize the system, and sufiicient time having elapsed to allow the tubes 269, 210 and 212 to heat up, the

rotary switch 249 is swung to number three or print position. As the leading safety wrap A of; the, film H is between the collar 31,6 and contact ring 3 I 8; as shown in, Figs. 9 and 1. ,v and also between similar ring .322 and collar 323-, the relay coil 3,0,6 is, kept de-energized, allowing the camera head motor {'38 to run at its high speed. At the same time, in position No. three, the switch 249 operates via its b-ussegment 2,5 3andthe previously described connections to connect the cathode 29 I- of the tube 259 to chassis ground 261, and D. C. output 2,18,. The, tube "thus becomes charged, and its plate current actuates the clutch I31, causing the IIO- tov be driven rapidly upward.

When the leading safety wrap A, Fig. 911,, has been unwound from the supply reel thefi-lm notch 32 Or permits the contact roller 3I8. to ground on thecollar 3I6,,-energizing the relay 260 to break both the camera head motor and clutch supplycircuits as hereinbefore set forth, thus stopping the-film. Hie; As the lamp 3 is connected in parallel with, the energized relay coil 30.6, the lamp lights to warn the operator that the safety wrap has been completely unwound.

The operator then throws the switch. 2419 to number two position, the normal, photographing position, and. throwsv the re-set switch 309, which is preferably a push-button type. The latter operation, by opening the: switch pole 3.98, breaks the 6 volt supply to the relay coil allowing the relay 2.6;!) to restore the camera head motor and clutch supply connections. While in position. two the rotary switch 249, has broken the previously described ground 255.?! connection of the cathode 2 .91 of tube 2.5.8, but closure of pole 3,381 ofthe re-set switch 358 restores this connection, causing the clutch I31. to engage. As the; film moves forward thenotc'h 320 is drawnout of registry with the collar .316 and ring .3I8:, the film H0 thereupon separating these members to break their grounding connection. This action extinguishes the warning lamp 3M, informing the operator that the film is in position to. begin photography. The operator thereupon releases the re-set switch 3.8.9 and throws the conveyor motor switch 33;!) to forward position, starting the motor which drives the drum 4'! and itsv previously described system of conveyor tapes and rollers.

When ready for normal photography in accordance with the above procedure, the camera head motor 138 is running, the clutch I31 is released, the conveyor is running, and the. lamps I31 are not illuminated.

When a piece of copy, such as. a document or drawing I58, is to be photographed, it is placed on the tableffid :face downward, and pushed into the throat 8?, where it. is grasped between the tapes 60. and =56 and, is conveyed rearwardly. As the leading edge or the copy encounters the tripfing-ers 2-Star it swings the latter upward, pressing the contact springs 285 against the bus-bar thusesta-blishing the 6 volt windingcircuit for the trip relay 2' described inconnection'with Fig. 1e.

Closure of the relay contactors 28.9 and connects the cathodestli tl and 292 to ground, initiating :energization of the tubes 2 58 and 21B. Closure of the third contactor 28G energizes the counter 282, causing the latter to register one exposure. Energization of the tube 269 supplies plate current to the clutch I3 I ,causing the latter to engage and drive the film I It. Also, the energizing of the tube Zl-Usupplies platecurrenttherefrom through the coil 355 of the light control relay 22 I, closing this relay and thereby turning on the lamps I31. 1

As the copy continues to be conveyedv rearwardly its leading edge is moved over the. shoe 83 and transparent plate 8 2 into gripped engagement between the tapes 66 and the third set of tapes'M. Since all tapes or belts are driven at the same speed from the drum 41 and by friction engagement with each other and with the copy, the latter is moved smoothly and evenly across the plate 82, thence upward around the rear of the drum 4'! between the tapes and 1-4. When the machine is set for top front delivery, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the copy I50 is directed forwardly and downwardly by the rubber flanges 8| on roller Il, the upper guide member 910, the tapes 65 and the rubber flanges I3 of the roller 69. The copy thus is deposited face upward in the delivery receptacle 88.

In its passage over the transparent plate 82 the downwardly directed face of the 0093 I50 is illuminated by the lamps I37. As the illuminated copy crosses the area D above the conduit I36, reflected light from the copy passes down through the conduit and via mirrors I47 and I48, lens I88 and slotted guide I09 to the film III), where it is impressed as an image. As the copy is moving, its image on the film is one of flowing subject matter, the direction of flow of the image across the optical axis MSa being opposite to that of the copy material, due to the reversing effect of the lens I08.

Accordingly, the driving mechanism between the motor I38 and the film 'I I8 ,is so constructed as to drive the film, in the same direction as the flow of image thereon and at a speed slower than that of the copy inexact ratio to the photographic reduction employed. Thus the combination of the conveyor and its driving mechanism, the intermediate optical system and the camera head with its synchronised driving mechanism comprises a flow camera, in which the flow of the film is in cooperative registry with the flow of the image furnished by the conveyor motion, resulting in a continuously accurate photographic record throughout the length of the copy being fed.

When the trailing end of; the copy I59 clears the fingers seen the latter swing downward, disengaging the spring contacts 286 from the. busbar 2 88, allowing the relay 2-H to open the oathode circuits and also. the supply circuit of the counter 282. As the tubes 269 and 210 are deenergi-zed the fall of their plate currents respectively allow theclutch 131' to disengage and the light control relay ,ZZI to open, thus stopping the iilm III). and extinguishing the lamps I31.

Atnormal speeds of operation an appreciable time interval occurs between the closing-operation of the trip fingers 286a by the leading edge of the copy I5@ and the arrival of the latter at the photographing area DY To avoidwaste of film and .to allow proper regulation of theiframe spacing thereon, a time delay is introduced between the actuation of the fingers Z a-ta and the operation of the clutch and lamps; Similarly a delay of slightly longer duration is necessary time delay means both in the grid" and circuits as follows, referring to Fig; 14:

A condenser 345 is connected between the oathode 29I of tube 269 and the movable electrode 346 of a variable resistor 347, the total resistance of the latter being connected between ground 261 and the grid 348. A fixed resistor 349 is shunted from the movable electrode 346 to ground. A second condenser 350 of much larger capacity than that of condenser 345 is'connected across the plate circuit via an adjustable tap I on the resistor 294. The tube 210 is provided with a similar cathode-grid time delay network 352 and a plate circuit condenser 353 connected via an adjustable tap 354 to the resistor 302.

Taking the operation with respect to the tube 269 as typical of both systems, while the cathode 29I is disconnected from ground the condenser 345 is held below ground potential by flow of grid current through the grid 343 and the described resistor combination. When the cathode 29I is connected to ground the condenser charges up toward ground potential, thus raising the grid potential until current flows across the tube after the time delay required to charge the condenser through the connected resistance. As the plate current flows it first charges the second condenser 350 with a short additional time delay, then energizesthe clutch I 3| as previously set forth.

plate When the trip relay 2' opens,- thus breaking the'g'round connection to the cathode 29I, the condenser 345 discharges, its potential and that of the grid 349' again falling'below ground potential. Meanwhile the power supply across the tube having been cut off, current through the load is maintained for an interval of time by discharge of the second condenser 294 through the load, including the clutch I3I and the lower portion of the resistor 302 in series therewith. By this means disengagement of the clutch is delayed by an interval which is adjustable by the movable tap 354.

From the foregoing it will be evident that both the condenser 345 and the condenser 350 contribute to the circuit closing time delay, while the circuit opening time delay is produced almost entirely by the second condenser 350 alone. Furthermore the discharge time of condenser 350 is considerably greater than its charging time,'due to the slow leakage of its comparatively large charge through the load as noted. These relationships permit ready adjustment of the closing and opening delay periods to different values as required, the preferred practive being to first set the opening delay period by adjusting the tap 35I, then set the total closing delay by adjusting the movable contact 346.

Ina similar manner to that described, the network 352 and second condenser 353 associated with the tube 210 provide adjustable time delay intervals in the energizing and de-energizing of the light control relay 22I, which can be set to maintain any desired timing relation with the described control of the clutch Maintenance of the determined time delays at constant values even under various conditions of line voltage is made possible by the fact that the electronic system current supply line 215 is connected to the constant 115 volt conductor 225 instead of directly to the power supply conductor I86.

Operation of the clutch I3I directly by the plate current of the tube 269, instead of through a relay, has various advantages in addition to 16 the elimination of the relay. By employing full-wave rectified current instead of AG in the clutch winding, tendency to hum and vibration is substantially eliminated. Furthermore, the comparatively gradual build-up and fall-01f of the rectified current supply, due to the time delay action described, tends to soften or cushion engagement and disengagement of the clutch, thus preventing sudden jerks and possible irregular opera'tion of the film IID. Both these eifects are obviously of great importance in micro-film work, wherein uniform smoothness of film control and absence of vibration are essential to highest precision work. I

As a number of documents, drawings or the like' are. fed through the machine they successively trip the' fingers 286a and are photo graphed on the film, and are thereafter deposited face up in the delivery receptacle '88 as previously noted. By the location of the latter at convenient eye-level above the feed table 54 and immediately below the control panel 94, all the normal operations of feeding, controlling the machine, and taking out the photographed copy are readily accomplished by a single operator comfortably stationed in front of the machine, without stooping or moving about so as to slow down the operations.

An example of the gain in eificiency provided by the top delivery as described is in the elimination of re-checking stacks of photographed copy for feeding errors. With prior devices wherein successively photographed documents are stacked in a delivery receptacle near the bottom of the machine or other location not immediately accessible to the operators view, an improperly fed document may either go undetected or can be detected only by subsequent rechecking of the entire delivered stack. On the other hand, with the present invention, a document wrongly fed, so that only its blank back is photographed,- appears immediately thereafter directly in the operator's view and wrong side up, so that the error can be detected at once and corrected by re-feeding the document in proper position.

In some types of service it is desirable to deliver photographed copy from the upper rear of the machine, for example when a very large number of document must be photographed in minimum time, warranting the use of two operators, or in the case of very wide and long copy such as large drawings or blueprints which themselves cannot readily be handled by' one person. To provide for rear delivery the small levers I04, Fig. 2, may be lowered by means of latching handles 355 on the ends of their rod 356, the handles 355 being located in the hollow frames I5 and I6 as illustrated in Fig. 4. Lowering the levers I04 permits the deflector I03. to swing down to the position shown in dot'-and-' dash lines in Fig. 2, the fingers I05 resting between the tapes or belts 66 and extending into the grooves II in the drum 41.

With the above-described arrangement, when copy emerges from between the tapes 66"and I4 above the drum 41, it is intercepted by the deflector I93 which guides it upwardly and rearwardly around the roller 11, the latter and" the inclined tapes I4 thereafter cooperating to eject the copy through a rear delivery opening 351. Receiver baskets of any suitable type such as 358 may be suspended from the transverse memher 23, though for very long drawings, as previously mentioned, the baskets may be omitted and the copy ejected directly to tables or reeling devices. Letters and the like picked successively from a face-up stack and fed face-down, are rear-delivered in proper serial order, eliminating re-stacking for return to files.

During operation of the machine, when the working portion B of the film (Fig; 9a) is exhausted the second notch SLi allows the ring 322, Fig. 14:, to engage the grounded collar $2 3; The relay 266 is thereby energized in the same manner as previously described, stoppingboth motors [3t and 43, releasing the'clutch I35, turning off the lamps I31, and lighting the alarm or end-of-film? lamp 3M. The operator then throws the re-set switch 395 de-energizing the relay 288 to re-start the motors and throw in' the clutch l3i, also as previously explained. The trailing safety Wrap C having been'wound up about the exposed'film on reel lid, Fig. 2,.

sufiicient angle that, if allowed to continue to feed, the edge of the copy may work over the side of the conveying mechanism with consequent crumpling or tearing. When this danger is, detected by observation of the copy entering the throat 8'1, the conveyor motor 33 may be L reversed by means of the switch backing the copy outward to permit its being re-entered properly.

It is obvious that while the device is especially adapted to the photographing of drawings and the like of comparatively large width, and any length, its use is not limited thereto. In order to allow the filming of materials of different width categories to the best advantage, a number of interchangeable lenses Hi3 may be provided having different reduction ratios, corresponding speed ratios being obtainable by interchangeable sizes of film drive rollers I3.

To maintain proper exposure density at different filmspeeds, the intensity of illumination on the copy is adjusted by means of the rotary switch 28?; It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the spacing of the lamps i3? tapers from widest spacing in the middle of the rows to narrow spacing near the ends, thus providing uniform combined light intensity throughout the entire width of the field.

For use with certain slow emulsion'films and for various other purposes which will be evident to those skilled in the art, provision is made for photographing at slower speed. To accomplish this, the conveyor drive belt '2 is shifted to low speed drive position on the pulleys and Si. The'photographing operation is carried out in the same manner as described above, except that the rotary switch 249 is turned to number one position, thus energizing the camera head motor I39 through its low-speed leads and 3%.

Each actuation of the electronic control by the leading edge of a sheet of copy energizes the magnetic counter 282 as described, thus keeping a visual record of the number of exposures. A finger wheel 232a, l, is providedtor re-settin the counter.

When filming comparatively narrow sheets and resumes operation as such as letters and the like, guide bars 359, Fig. 2, may be attached to the feed table 54- to confine the; copy to the properzone for uniformlateral location on the film.

In various types of service it is desirable to edge-mark the film withidentifying datasuchas date of filming or the like.- strips; fidil of paper or other suitable sheet material bearing thedesired indicia may be attached to one of the tapes 55,-a tape being-se lected which is beyondbut immediately adjacent to one edge of the copy I50 beingphotographed, ass-illustrated in Fig; 3; Fig. 12 shows in detail a preferred method-ofattaching. the marking means. The leading end of the markedstrip369= is removably stapled or clipped directlyto-the tape-$5 at 36!. A short elastic ribbon BBZis-securedto the other end of thestr-ip 355W The ribbon 362 is stretched slightly and its outer end stapled-or clippedito the belt 5? at 353? Thus the ribbon 3t-i2holds the marker strip 360 resiliently in tension, allowing the latter to conform to the tape in its passage around the druml-l and associated rollers and holding the strip flat aszit passes through the photographing area D.

In operation, as the strip 35El-passes=through- Flow printing orenlarging- For making enlarged'prints from-micro ilm,

thedrive belt bids-placed in low-speed driving position as in low-speed photography, and the lamp banks l39andl4d are'unplugged at i 35:

Fig. 3. The bracket ll8;with the arc-lamp. I89

and condensing lens i8! is installed in the camera head as shown in Fig. 8,'the plug iiiZ is placed in the socket Hi l, the reel of film 35 's to'be repro-' duced is placed on the feed spindle HI and threaded to the take-up spindle li tin the usual Way; after which the camera head is swunginto.

operating position by closing the door: 32.

The film is then run forward to pass the'threading allowance or safety wrap in the 'same wayas previously described; 7

The room is either darkened or illuminated with light of a color to which the printing stock is insensitive, and the switch 227 is closed'to start the arc 2e53, Fig. 14;, and thereby-illuminatethefilm-behind the-guide slit 584. The rotary switchi 2&9 is turned to number one position; and the leading edge ofa suitable length 0f" sensitized sheet is fed sensitive-sidedownward,- into the throat 8?, where it is gripped; between the tape systems 66 and,- iidandconveyed-through the ma} chine in the same'manner as described for copy being photographed;-

As the leading edge of, the sheet passes inward it trips the fingers 235a, Fig. 2, causing the clutch in to engage and drive the film after a suitable. time interval as set forth previously. Thereaftfir a continuously-flowing image of thefilm moving across the slit lEd is projected via the mirrors hit and Ml, through the transparentplate 8?! to the sensitized sheet passing across the areaD, the speed of the sheet matching'the fiow sp'eedof the image so that'a continuous reproductionof the film is produced; The intensity .of the light is regulated by means of the rheostat 2M.

As in the case ofphotography, the exposed sheet is delivered from the top of the, device, either at the front or rear as desired. 7

For this purpose Contact printing When it is desired to make direct positive film prints from negative film, the camera head is swung outward by opening the door 32, and the film guide I09 carrying the lens I68 is replaced by the guide I12, Fig. 7, carrying the frame I13 and lamps I15, the prong I'I6 engaging the jack III.

The negative film 364 is threaded from the supply reel III to the take-up reel H4. A pair of auxiliary supply and take-up spindles 365 and 366, Fig. 7a, are adapted to receive reels 36'! and 368 which carry an unexposed film 369, which latter is passed between the pressure and tension rollers H and H2 across the guide I12 and between the pressure and drive rollers H6 and H3 in contact with the negative film 364, preferably emulsion side to emulsion side. The auxiliary guide roller I63 may also be swung into place to press the films together.

The door 32 is closed, swinging the camera head into operating position, and the rotary switch 249 is turned to number three position. This operation acts through connections previously described and shown in Fig. 14 to start the camera head motor I33 at high speed, energize the tube 269 to throw in the clutch I3I, and light the printing lamps I75. The two films 364 and 369 are drawn together at constant speed across the slit IBM in the guide I12, the light from lamps I15, diffused by the screen I'Il, effecting continuous printing on the undeveloped film 363.

The density of printing may be regulated by means of the rheostat 265. When the operation is completed and the films run from between the rollers H5 and H2, the latters ring 323 and collar 322 make contact in the manner previously set forth, tripping the relay 260 to throw out the clutch I3I, stop the motor I30 and light the signal lamp 34L The camera head is then swung outward, and the exposed film 369, protected by its trailing safety wrap, is removed for development.

The compartment 36 provides a convenient storage space for extra film rolls, alternative lenses, etc., rendering the device a completely self-contained unit requiring no outside storage for accessories.

From the foregoing description it is believed evident that the elements and combinations comprising the invention have produced a machine combining simplicity and extreme compactness with a high degree of versatility, and ease of operation. The latter is illustrated by the desk-level feed and top-delivery, with all normal operating controls immediately above the front delivery receiver in easy reach and sight of the operator, and by the swing-out of the complete camera head for easy changing of film, substitution of lenses, and the like.

The improved optical system, wherein an extreme length of throw and consequent width of field are secured in small space with a minimum number of mirrors, the utilization of the mirror box 34 as one of the main structural members connecting the side frames I5 and I6, and the disposal of major units such as the conveyor motor 43 and the auto-transformer I92 in spaces provided by the narrowing of the light cone, contribute to the compactness noted.

The securing of all major stationary units either directly to the hollow side frames I5 and I6 or to stiff sheet metal structural members connecting these frames, gives extreme rigidity to the structure, while the anti-friction mounting of the conveyor drum 47 and all related rollers in the rigidly connected side frames pro vides permanently accurate alignment and smooth runing of the conveyor. The use of separate synchronous motors for conveyor and film drive, while maintaining accurate speed relationships between the film and copy, liminates mechanical inter-drives and consequent gear or other transmission vibrations which are well known to be fatal to accurate micro-filming.

The smoothness and uniformity of drives secured by the means described, together with the permanent rigidity of alignment, the prefocussed lens mounting, the vibration-free mirror mounting, the improved lighting means. and the improved electronic control, enable the device to produce micro-films and full-size reproductions of copy of sizes up to and including large drawings, maps, newspapers, and the like, with a high degree of accuracy and at high speed.

The foregoing described operational procedures have been set forth in specific detail, but it will be understood that under special circumstances advantageous variations in these procedures may be made. For example, when the machine is to be used for photography and porjection printing only, with frequent alternations between the two services, the auxiliary guide or pressure roller I63 may be omitted and the arc-lamp I81] and condensing lens I8I kept in place as a permanent part of the assembly.

While the invention has been described in preferred form, it is not limited to the precise embodiment illustrated, as various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a micro-photographing device, in combination, a pair of upright end frames, a plurality of rigid transverse structural members extending between and secured to said frames to form therewith a wide rigid body, a feed table in the front of said body, a transverse guide member above said table and forming with the rear portion thereof a throat adapted to guide introduced sheet material into said body, means forming a front delivery opening above said guide member, conveyor means supported by said end frames near the top thereof and adapted to receive said sheet material introduced through said throat and to move said sheet material rearwardly between said frames, upwardly, and forwardly out through said front delivery opening, means to drive said conveyor means at a pre-determined speed, means within the front of said body to move a film vertically in predetermined speed relation to the speed of said moving sheet material, means to establish a focussed optical path between said film and a transverse zone on the bottom of said inwardly moving sheet material, and means to illuminate said zone, said feed table and said conveying means totally overlying said film guide, said film moving means, said optical path establishing means, and said illuminating means, said conveying means including means moving with said sheet material to grip both sides of said sheet material throughout said entire upward movement thereof.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said illuminating means includes a first light source adjacent said zone and adapted to illuminate the same directly and a second light source operable alternatively with said first source to project light through said moving film and said optical path to said zone.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said illuminating means includes a concentrated light source mounted in said body in optical line with said film and said optical path and on the op posite side of said film with respect to said path, said source being adapted to illuminate said moving filr whereby an illuminated image thereof may be projected throughout said optical path to said moving sheet material.

l. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a control panel above said delivery opening, and manual means on said panel to control said conveyor driving means, said film driving means, and said illuminating means.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 including means forming a second delivery opening in the rear of said body above the level of said feed table, and means above said conveyor means and adjustable to divert said material from said front delivery opening to said rear delivery opening.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pair of upright end frameaa plurality of rigid transverse structural members extending between and secured to said frames to form therewith a wide rigid body, a feed table in the front of said body, a transverse guide member above said table and forming with the rear portion thereof a threat adapted to guide introduced sheet material into said body, means forming a front delivery opening above said guide member, conveyor means supported by said end frames near the top thereof and adapted to receive said sheet material introduced through said throat and to move said sheet material rearwardly between said frames, upwardly, and forwardly out through said front delivery opening, means to drive said conveyor means at a predetermined speed, means within the front of said body to move a film vertically in predetermined speed relation to the speed of said moving sheet material, means to establish a focussed optical path between said film and a transverse zone on the bottom. of said inwardly moving sheet material, means to illuminate said zone, at least one of said end frames being hollow, and a movable closure on the outer side of said frame, said driving means for said conveyor means including a motor attached to the inner side of said hollow end frame and changeable ratio power transmitting means operatively connecting said motor to said conveyor means, said power transmitting means being housed within said hollow frame, whereby access to said power transmitting means for changing the speed ratio thereof is permitted by opening said movable closure.

'7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pair of upright end frames, a plurality of rigid tranverse structural members extending between and secured to said frames to form therewith a wide rigid body, a feed table in the front of said body, a transverse guide member above said table and forming with the rear portion thereof a threat adapted to guide introduced sheet material into said body, means forming a front delivery opening above said guide member, conveyor means supported by said end frames near the top thereof and adapted to receive said sheet material introduced through said throat and to move said sheet material rearwardly between said frames, upwardly, and forwardly out through said front delivery opening, means to drive said conveyor means at a predetermined speed, means Within the front of said body to move a film vertically in predetermined speed relation to the speed of said moving sheet material, means to establish a focussed optical path between said film and a transverse zone on the bottom of said inwardly moving sheet material, means to illuminate said zone, one of said transverse structural members comprising a box shaped member having an upper transverse slot and a front transverse slot and interior mirrors in cooperative optical alignment with said slots, said slots and mirrors comprising parts of said means for establishing said focussed optical path, and a light conduit between the top of said boxshaped member and said conveyor means in optical line with said upper slot, said conduit being adapted to limit the terminal projection of said optical path on said moving sheet and conveyor means to said narrow zone spanning substantially the transverse extent of said conveyor means, said light-furnishing means com-- prising light sources disposed forwardly and rearwardly of said conduit and adapted to illuminate said zone.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pair of upright end frames, a plurality of rigid tranverse structural members extending between and secured to said frames to form therewith a wide rigid body, a feed table in the front of said body, a transverse guide member above said table and forming with the rear portion thereof a throat adapted to guide introduced sheet material into said body, means forming a front delivery opening above said guide member, conveyor means supported by said end frames near the top thereof and adapted-to receive said sheet material introduced through said throat and to move said sheet material rearwardly between said frames, upwardly, and forwardly out through said front delivery opening, means to drive said conveyor means at a predetermined speed, means within the front of said body to move a film vertically in predetermined speed relation to the speed of said moving sheet material, means to establish a focussed optical path between said film and a transverse zone on the bottom of said inwardly moving sheet material, means to illuminate said zone, one of said end frames having an opening therein, transverse racks normally disposed in said body below said conveyor means adjacent said zone, said illuminating means comprising banks of lamps secured in said racks and adapted to illuminate said moving sheet ma terial in said zone, said racks and lamp banks being slidable bodily outward through said opening in said end frame, means to establish an electrical circuit through each of said lamp banks from a source of current, and means disposed partly on said racks and partly on one of said end frames to break said circuits by removal of said racks through said opening.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pair of upright hollow end frames, transverse structural members extending between said frames and secured thereto to. form a rigid body of wide transverse extent rela-' tive to the horizontal depth thereof, means form ing a feeding throat in the upper front portion of said body, a transverse roller journalled in said end frames and disposed adjacent the lower inner edge of said throat, a second transverse 23 conveyor plane in alignment with said throat, means to maintain said belts in tension, a third transverse roller above said first roller and swing mounted in said end frames, a transverse shaft journalled in said end frames rearwardly of and above the level of said second roller, a drum on said second shaft, a second plurality of laterally spaced belts on said third roller and said drum, said second belts normally engaging said first belts along said plane, a fourth transverse roller journalled in said frame in front of said drum and engaging the inside surfaces of said second belts, fifth, sixth and seventh transverse rollersdisposed respectively below, rearwardly of, and above said drum, a third plurality of transversely spaced belts on said fifth, sixth and seventh rollers, tension means to press said third belts against said second belts throughout substantially the rear semi-circumference of said drum, means forming a front discharge opening above said feeding throat and in alignment with said fourth roller, said drum, rollers and belts being cooperative to convey sheet material from said feeding throat rearwardly along said plane, upwardly around the rear of said drum, and for wardly through said front delivery opening; a lens and means to move a film in said body below said plane and in cooperative optical alignment with a transverse zone of said moving sheet material between said second roller and the bottom of said drum, means to illuminate said zone, and means synchronized with said film-moving means to drive said drum.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lateral extent of said belt assemblies on said drum and said rollers comprises substantially the transverse distance between said hollow end frames, and wherein said drum driving means includes a motor mounted on the inner side of one of said frames and speed-changing means connecting said motor and said shaft within said frame.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 including a rigid transparent plate underlying said transverse zone.

12. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said drum has circumferential grooves therein between said spaced second belts, including means forming a second delivery opening in the rear of said body, a curved deflector above said drum, terminal fingers on said deflector, said deflector including said fingers being normally positioned to clear said moving sheet material, and means to adjust said deflector downward to bring said fingers within said grooves, whereby said defiector may divert said sheet material from said front delivery opening to said rear delivery opening.

13. In a fiow camera, in combination, a casing, a camera head having a photographic field within said casing and including means to move a sensitized film, means to move a sheet of copy through said field in predetermined speed relation to the movement of said film, means operable by said moving means to present indicia adjacent said copy and moving through said field at the same speed as said copy, and means to illuminate said moving copy and indicia in said field, whereby adjacent images of said copy and said indicia may be impressed on said moving film, said copy-moving means including a plurality of laterally spaced conveying belts adapted to engage said copy, said indicia-presenting 24 means including an additional belt parallel to said conveying belts and adjacent the path of said copy through said field.

14. In a fiow camera, in combination, a casing, a camera head having a photographic field within said casing and including means to move a sensitized film, means to move a sheet of copy through said field in predetermined speed relation to the movement of said film, means operable by said moving means to present indicia adjacent said copy and moving through said field at the same speed as said copy, and means to illuminate said moving copy and indicia in said field, whereby adjacent images of said copy and said indicia may be impressed on said moving film, said copy-moving means including a plurality of laterally spaced conveying belts adapted to engage said copy, said indicia-presenting means including an additional belt parallel to said conveying belts adjacent the path of said copy through said field, and a ribbon carrying said indicia and detachably secured to said additional belt.

15. In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing including a frame having an opening therein, a camera head having a photographic field within said casing and including means to move a sensitized film in a path remote from said field, means to move a sheet of copy through said field, a rack in said casing adjacent said field, a bank of lamps secured in said rack and adapted to illuminate said copy in said field, said rack and lamp bank being slidable bodily outward through said opening in said frame, means to establish an electrical circuit through said lamp bank from a source of current, and means disposed partly on said rack and partly on one of said end frames to break said circuit, by removal of said rack through said opening.

VERNEUR E. PRATT. GEORGE F. GRAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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